BIKERNET.COM had the privilege to be among a select group of people who got a first look at the upcoming movie 'Easy Rider: The Ride Back' at the Brenden Theaters in Las Vegas this past Thursday. With many of the cast present, this was the first ever screening of the ambitious project, a work still in progress and yet unfinished. Regardless of some natural imperfections in this stage of post-production, the upcoming movie in its initial director's cut promises to live up to the expectations connected with the iconic name it carries.
Following in the footsteps of an icon can and should never be easy – many an offspring of famous actors have encountered that circumstance, so have numerous others from all walks of life. To even dare to touch a movie by which more than just one generation define themselves for almost exactly 40 years, may rightfully be considered insane. No other movie in history has probably achieved to be perceived as the representation of a whole lifestyle like 'Easy Rider' with Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper. Hitting the nerve of its time and reflecting the emotions of its contemporary generation, 'Easy Rider' remains even today one of the most successful independent movies of all times. How can you carry that heritage forward?
By adding on to it. 'Easy Rider: The Ride Back' is not a remake of the original. Anchored in present time, the upcoming movie tells the story of Wyatt (Peter Fonda in the original movie) and his family from their memories, leading up to what we know as the storyline of the original 'Easy Rider' as well as carrying the story on until today. For the birthday of the father 'Wild Bill' Williams (Newell Alexander), Wyatt's sister Shane (Sheree J. Wilson) tries to get the family back together after 40 years. Each have their own burden to carry from a sometimes haunting past that represents the history of the USA in the last century. While in the original movie, Wyatt (Peter Fonda) and Billy (Dennis Hopper) go on their journey in a tragic search of the idealistic America, their family in the upcoming movie cope with the choices and sacrifices they made in a pragmatic environment that is their life in the USA.
As director Dustin Rikert puts it: “'Easy Rider: The Ride Back' is a story wrapped in a story wrapped in a story”. From watching the initial director's cut we could not agree more, which makes the first sequences of the movie somewhat difficult to follow. But not being a quitter and staying with it pays off. The movie uses a clear and clean visual language, computer-generated scenes and overdone effects are pleasantly absent. Each actor is doing a great job bringing his or her character to life, not only convincingly portraying the appearance but also the emotional state. Newell Alexander, who describes himself as 'a small actor from California', delivers an amazing performance as the father tormented by nightmares of his times as a soldier. Phil Pitzer, at the same time producer and, along with Dustin Rikert, co-writer of the movie, has as Wyatt's brother Morgan a striking resemblance with Peter Fonda. Especially the riding scenes with him on the legendary Captain America and wearing the jacket with the star spangled banner on the back appear like a deja-vu – making his on-screen relation to Wyatt even the more believable. Talking about bikes and riding scenes: Yes, the Captain America celebrates a resurrection. And it will again, for several sequences throughout the movie, contain two guys together on the open road. Same as 'Easy Rider', 'Easy Rider: The Ride Back' uses the motorcycle as a vehicle with more than one meaning of the word. We know you are going to ask: No, Peter Fonda is not in this one, neither is Dennis Hopper.
Spending time with the cast earlier that day at Red Rock Harley-Davidson and later again at Brenden Theaters was like being with a group of friends. Clearly there is a lot of sympathy and friendship between the people involved in undertaking this project both in front of and behind the camera. Just like the characters they personify on the big-screen, each one of them is a real person you might meet somewhere and just chat with. While some have been riders for most of their lives, others discovered their passion by being involved in the making of the movie and getting a behind-the-scenes look of what freedom on two wheels really means.
There is a lot more to tell about the upcoming movie 'Easy Rider: The Ride Back', the people involved in it and each actor, including the ones we did not mention above, deserves to be in a thorough review. Yet we have to restrain ourselves here – after all, what we have seen is the very initial director's cut, which makes it way too early to conclusively pass judgment on the final movie which is anticipated to be released in spring next year. Same as riding a bike, watching a movie is an individual experience, different for everyone. One thing although seems already clear: What will keep this movie from becoming a commercial mass-audience success is the fact that you actually need your brain to understand it, which, on the other hand, should make it successful with the audience. This writer looks very much forward to watching the final edit.
For news and developments around the upcoming movie 'Easy Rider: The Ride Back' check out the movie's website at www.easyridertherideback.com and keep it here on BIKERNET.COM.
– – C.S. Berg
